CityUHK, Bauhinia Culture Group and CAS join forces to advance frontiers in materials science innovation
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) co-organised the event “Bauhinia Academician Lecture Series: Innovation Pathways in Materials Science” with Bauhinia Culture Group and the Shenzhen Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Academician Activity Base on 16 April. The event featured Professor Yu Shuhong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor at the University of Science and Technology of China, and Professor Zhang Hua, Herman Hu Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Director of the Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy at CityUHK, who shared their insights and expertise.
Professor Yu has devoted many years to research in areas including the biomimetic synthesis, assembly and functional applications of inorganic nanomaterials and composite materials. In his lecture titled “The Joy of Science – Unwrapping Nature’s Gifts,” he drew on examples of biological materials found in nature—such as nacre from pearl oysters and the skeletal structures of birds—to discuss how learning from nature and applying biomimetic concepts can lead to the development of novel biomimetic materials, thereby accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces.
Professor Zhang is an expert in nanomaterials and clean energy technology innovation, dedicated to advancing breakthroughs in the application of materials science to the energy transition. His presentation focused on research outcomes in phase engineering of nanomaterials (PEN), examining how PEN enables precise control over atomic arrangements to alter the crystal phases of materials and endow them with new physicochemical properties. He also highlighted the technology’s potential and prospects in facilitating highly efficient energy conversion and driving the transition to clean energy, and supporting the global roadmap toward carbon neutrality.
Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research) of CityUHK, remarked that CityUHK has long been at the forefront of materials science research. He noted that the Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies Centre (SMART), jointly led by CityUHK and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), had been successfully included in the third InnoHK research cluster. The Centre will develop and build AI/ML-enabled materials design platforms and self-driving laboratories to develop breakthrough materials and renewable energy solutions.
The event not only deepened CityUHK students’ and faculty’s understanding of innovation in materials science, but also fostered dialogue and collaboration among academia, research institutions and the cultural sector. It injected new momentum into advancing materials science and nurturing future research talent. CityUHK will continue to work hand in hand with partners from various sectors to expand the social impact of its research and education, contributing to technological and innovation development in Hong Kong and the nation as a whole.